Vespa T5 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Vespa T5 car check
Is the Vespa T5 reliable? We analysed 1,136 real MOT tests across 179 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Vespa T5? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Vespa T5 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include direction indicator not working, stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies and direction indicators not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Vespa T5.
Vespa T5 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Vespa T5. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Vespa T5 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Vespa T5 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Vespa T5 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Vespa T5 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Vespa T5 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Vespa T5 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Vespa T5 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Vespa T5 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 57 | 82.5% | 6,877 | 10,247 | 14,809 |
| 1991 | 83 | 83.1% | 11,419 | 14,301 | 18,858 |
| 1990 | 123 | 87.0% | 8,862 | 17,426 | 21,330 |
| 1989 | 100 | 80.0% | 10,218 | 15,481 | 28,404 |
| 1988 | 104 | 87.5% | 7,892 | 17,046 | 23,109 |
| 1987 | 91 | 82.4% | 14,688 | 18,695 | 24,167 |
| 1986 | 90 | 86.7% | 12,576 | 16,174 | 22,620 |
| 1985 | 70 | 84.3% | 4,165 | 13,805 | 18,759 |
How Long Does a Vespa T5 Last?
Based on 179 Vespa T5 vehicles on UK roads.
Vespa T5 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Vespa T5 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Vespa T5
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.5% MOT pass rate from 104 tests
80.0% MOT pass rate from 100 tests
The best year to buy a used Vespa T5 is 1988, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.5% across 104 tests. The 1989 model year has the lowest pass rate at 80.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Vespa T5 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vespa T5 THIS CAR | 84.3% | 1,136 | 16,317 mi | 41 yrs |
| Vespa Douglas | 84.7% | 2,775 | 13,876 mi | 65 yrs |
| Vespa PX125 | 80.8% | 1,317 | 16,209 mi | 46 yrs |
| Vespa 150 | 86.4% | 382 | 583 mi | — yrs |
| Rieju Marathon | 69.6% | 1,491 | 5,258 mi | 13 yrs |
Compared to the Vespa Douglas (84.7% pass rate) and the Vespa PX125 (80.8% pass rate), the Vespa T5 sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Vespa T5 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Vespa T5Should you buy a used Vespa T5?
The Vespa T5 has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.3% across 1,136 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Vespa T5 are direction indicator not working (14 recorded failures), stop lamp does not illuminate immediately a brake applies (9), and direction indicators not working (8). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Vespa T5 owner drives around 304 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Vespa T5 models stay on UK roads for around 41 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.